London: Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira was on Monday voted the greatest foreign player ever in English soccer. Vieira polled 17 out of 20 possible votes from top managers and players including Bobby Robson, Claudio Ranieri, Graham Taylor and Tom Finney.

The full results form part of a new book entitled ĎEngland, their England,í a history of foreigners in English soccer. Author Nick Harris said more than 1,700 overseas-born players have been based in England.

The voters were asked to name their all-time top teams of international imports, with the biggest vote-winners lining up in a final 11, six of them French. Manchester United lead the number of representations in the elite 11 with four. Chelsea has signed the most number of foreign players with 64, starting with India-born Charles Donaghy in 1905.

London: Manchester United midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron is set to join Chelsea.

Media reports on Monday said the 28-year-old had done a U-turn after telling United manager Alex Ferguson he wanted to stay at Old Trafford.

Chelsea were now expected to clinch the player in a £ 18 m deal this week. He has had a love-hate relationship with Ferguson since United paid Italian side Lazio £28 m two years ago and has made 82 appearances, scoring just 11 goals.

Chelsea have so far paid out £ 36.9 m on four players this month. Their biggest signing has been Irish winger Damien Duff from Blackburn Rovers for £ 17 m.